Care homes keep residents happy in isolation

Care homes across the Borough are working hard to keep residents occupied during the period of self-isolation.

At Meadowbank, based in Braywick Road, Maidenhead, Kit Fenn, activities coordinator, has said that residents are doing well, currently healthy and happy.

“One resident’s daughter was here on Mother’s Day for a residents’ meeting, and she got to see her mum at the window, to wave, say hi and feel the love,” said Kit.

To keep them connected, residents are receiving regular video calls from friends and family, and staff keep them updated by email, including pictures of activities their loved ones have been involved with.

Kit said she is receiving outside advice from an entertainer to come up with new ideas to keep residents occupied.

At Cliveden Manor care home in Marlow, residents have been spending more time outside in lieu of visits from family members.

Indeed, the home is looking for donations of potted plants, as garden centres are currently closed.

“They are really relishing the increased one-to-one time, and joining in with more activities than they would if their family was visiting,” said Sarah Loveday of Cliveden Manor.

“In a way, residents are not as isolated as if they were living in their own home. They’ve self-isolated with all their friends.”

“Nobody is frightened. This generation is resilient – they lived though the war. They are all rallying round,” added Sarah.

At Sandown Park in Windsor, staff have brought their friendly pets in from home so residents can enjoying petting them.

James Ruffell and his Ministry of Silly Walks Signs. James put up a Ministry of Silly Walks sign to encourage people to do a silly walk when they go past his house. The idea is based on a scene from the Monty Python movie. High Street, Sonning. James Ruffell